Iman Vellani Cast as Kamala Khan for Disney+ “Ms. Marvel” Streaming Series

Fans of Kamala Khan can finally rejoice! Deadline is the first to report that young actress Iman Vellani has been cast as the lead for the Ms. Marvel streaming show on Disney+. 

Over the weeks, we have been getting news about the directors attached to the upcoming Ms. Marvel streaming show. However, not knowing anything about the lead was really making the fandom nervous. Would the House of Mouse be able to find the right person to portray the popular Muslim Pakistani-American comic book character?

It turns out that Disney was indeed successful.

As far as my opinion goes, Iman Vellani (who described herself as a Pakistani-American-Muslim teenager during a CBC interview) does look like Kamala Khan. I’m very excited to see her bring Kamala to life on Disney+ and, in time, the big screen.

While waiting for the casting announcement, the fandom was worried about colorism. Hollywood (and, frankly, other media around the world), has an unfortunate history of casting fair-skinned actors over dark-skinned talent. That’s why certain fans thought that Kamala would end up being played by a young actress who’s quite fair-skinned.

In the comic books, one thing that Kamala isn’t is an extremely fair-skinned teenager. And I do think showcasing such a character in comic books (and related mediums) is important for representation.

After some research, I think Iman Vellani (more or less) checks that box.

There’s been no news about when the show (from writer Bisha K. Ali) will begin production. However, we do know episodes will be directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, two-time Oscar-winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Meera Menon. So, that’s some good representation in front of as well as behind the camera.

I wonder if the series will ever have Kamala go and visit her relatives in Pakistan (like she did in her comic book series).

Feel free to share your thoughts with us.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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